Biography of Emil GanzArizona Biographies

EMIL GANZ, president of the National Bank of Arizona, Phoenix, was born in Germany, August 18, 1838, and in
1858 came to America. In his native country he was educated in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen was
apprenticed to a tailor, and having become a journeyman tailor, he worked at his trade in the vicinity of his home
for several years. On coming to this country he worked for several years at his trade in New York City and Philadelphia,
and later moving to Cedartown, Ga., conducted a business of his own. While residand in the latter place, he attained
to prominence in the community, and was appointed postmaster for a term. During the Civil War Mr. Ganz served for
more than three years in the Confederate Army, and was engaged in some of the most important battles, and at the
defense of Richmond. and for seven months was a Federal prisoner. When peace was declared, Mr. Ganz located for
a short time in Quincy, and removed to Kansas City, where he was engaged in tailoring and gents' furnishing business
for several years. From 1872 to 1874 he was similarly engaged in Las Animas, Colorado, and since the latter year
has uninterruptedly been a resident of Arizona. Locating first in Prescott, he successfully managed the Capitol
Hotel until 1887, when he came to Phoenix and became proprietor of the well known hotel Bank Exchange. which was
destroyed by fire in 1885. In 1895 he became interested in the National Bank of Arizona, and was elected its president,
which position he has since held. The National Bank of Arizona is now one of the largest and most prosperous banks
in the state, and its president one of the best known and highly esteemed bankers of the Southwest, and to his
judgment and ability is due much of the success which this institution has met with. Mr. Ganz has also been interested
in insurance work, and has represented several of the largest fire insurance companies. A staunch Democrat, he
has enjoyed the highest regard of the best political element of the locality, of which he has received evidence
by having been three times elected to the office of Mayor of Phoenix and as member of the city council. In his
administration of municipal affairs Mr. Ganz. displayed a broad knowledge of the requirements of the office, and
by means of his tact and ability as a leader, won the confidence and admiration of his townsmen. He is a prominent
member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty second degree. Mrs. Ganz was formerly Miss Bertha
Engelman, of New York City.

From:
Who's Who in Arizona
Vol 1
Compiled and Published by Jo Conners
Press of The Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona 1913